William J. Roe, Jr. Bariatric Center

UPDATE:
1/22/02- It has been 3 weeks now. I had my surgery on Dec. 27th. Everything went really well. I had a temp. but it went away. I have lost over 22 pounds now and feel really good. I have good days and great days. The best advice I can give is to 'listen to your body'. Dr. Roe and Dawn are really good people. I can tell you first hand you are in good hands.

I have had only positive experiences dealing with Dr. Roe. He performed my surgery on October 18, 2001. I developed complications and spent a good deal of time in the hospital after the surgery. During that time Dr. Roe was there for me every day. I remember him coming back to the hospital one night just to hold my hand while I had some tests done because I was nervous and scared. I've been very happy with the care I've received from Dr. Roe and his staff during my recovery. If I had to do this surgery again I would choose Dr. Roe as my surgeon.

My self and my husband had nothing but good
praisesfor him, only got better as we talked
office staff very capible, so for nothing
bad to say ,we just love him, he even
answers his own e-mail,he is very gentle
from the get go,there was a small discuss.
about after care but first things first,
his staff also gives a folder with all
the info in it snd if you don`t read it
that is your fault, all questions are
answered as you have questions and as
you proceed.he told us of the risks and,
there is a risk evenif you try to cross
the street.On a scale of 1 to 10 he is a
15,does that say it all?every one of the
care is important ,But to me it was the way
he included my spouse .

First impression of Dr. Roe was that he likes what he does and thinks he is the best at it. Very honest with questions and staff is fantastic.

010702 was my first visit to Dr. Roe. My 1st impression was not a good one. However, I did change because he was friendly, personable as well as knowledgeable. I enjoyed his presentation. He left no questions unanswered. I liked that he explained the info along with the computer presentation. I originally went to Dr. Schweitzer who left me alone in a dark room to view the computer version. Dr. Roe's office staff was also very friendly and also knowledgeable. Dawn appeared to be on her job and willing to take any step to get you approved. That's a good thing. He was very upfront re risks of surgery. There was not much emphasis on aftercare though it was mentioned. There was mention of support groups and the need for them. I do feel comfortable with him performing my surgery. He has years of experience with surgery, though not many years performing this type. I don't feel that will hinder his ability. He gets a good rating, not excellent but good. Must be good if I am willing to let him cut me open (smile). Surgical competence is better but bedside manner ia slso very important. I'll try to never judge a book by it's cover again. 01-11 I am approved and my surgery date is 01-31. Dawn is wonderful. I dont know whether to be excited and scared to death.

Dr. Roe is an informative physician.. He's very knowledgeable and is excellent in giving you information regarding weight loss, and comparing the different types. He is detailed as well in telling you what to expect, and making sure you understand what this procedure is versus alternatives. He also explained that he can do a RNY with just a 3 inch incision in a shorter period of time than a LAP. Sounded good to me! He is a very experienced surgeon, and he very enthustiastic about what this surgery can do for people, especially in dealing with co-morbids. The only negative I can think of is he seems a little rushed with things, not that he doesn't want to spend time with you because he did, but at one point it seemed like he had other things on his mind (which is understandable), and didn't pause in his presentation. Other than that, we had a good consult.

I went for my first visit with Dr Roe today. I cant express enough how wonderful he and Dawn made me feel. His powerpoint presentation answered a lot of questions that I didnt even know I still had. Both Dr. Roe and Dawn put my fears and worries to rest concerning the insurance company. I left the office feeling very excited to have the surgery, but dreading the insurance ordeal. I was sitting in my car before my appointment very nervous , but when I left I felt like I had made two new friends. Not many people can say that about a doctor's office.

I will be meeting with him on November 30, 2001

12/1/01
I met w/ Dr. Schweitzer yesterday and it wasn't what I had been expecting. His receptionist could not get all her stuff together. It took me 20 minutes to get checked in and I came over prepared w/ all me info. I felt very rushed throughout my visit but I am glad that I made it there. Dr. Schweitzer appeared to be very rushed even though there were not alot of people in the office. Hopefully, during future visits things will be different. I feel confident that he knows what he needs to do to get my surgery approved so we will wait and see. I came in there educated on the Lap RNY but as we got talking about my medical history, the RNY wasn't in my best interest. The "Band" or Dou-Dent are my only options. Neither which he stated are his "best surgeries" ( he is one of the grandfathers of the Lap RNY). I appreciate his cander but I have never been sold (according to my research) on either one of those procedures and then to have the surgeon state his ability to perform them was a bit discouraging. He left me with all kinds of interesting things to read up to get educated while his office tries to get an approval for the "Band". We will talk again in a few weeks once we receive a approval or denial.

I have scheduled an appointment with Dr. ROe for a second opinion for this surgery. I think that he is going to be the one who is going to do my surgery, just by talking to his staff. This office is much more put together. Wish me luck!!

He retunred my e-mail very quickly. Was very personable on the phone. I am looking forward ot meeting him on the 16th.

I met with Dr. Roe on the 16th of November. I am very impressed with the amount of research that he has done on this surgery and how involved he has become in being a weight loss advocate. His power point presentation was VERY informative. He was not not condecending in any way, in fact, he had done his own personal research and was able to tell me, with accuracy, what I had been through as far as weight loss goes, based on his own experience with treating morbidly obese patients. He is very honest regarding the surgery, and does not "blow it off" as being a simple surgery. He is also very honest about the difficulties that you will encounter regarding the "loss" of food following the surgery. Dawn was also great, she was able to get the insurance approval the same day it was submitted- November 16, 2001. So by the end of friday, I had a surgery date and insurance authorization. I will be attending a pr-operative required dietician visit on 11-26-01 as well as a support meeting on 11-28-01. The only complaint that I had was that that paperwok I filled out in the office was a little redundant, and his rossville office is a little hard to find becasue it sits back off the road and I passed it 3 times!!!

Post op impressions: I am very glad that I had Dr. Roe do my surgery... the post op pain was well controlled in the hospital with a PCA pump, and I have not needed any pain meds since I came home from the hospital. My incision is about 4.5 inches long on the upper abdomen. He is very good about sitting down with you on the last day in the hospital to talk about what to do and expect. His office was very responsive to my calls post op. I am not really thrilled with the case I had at good samaritian hospital. I am a nurse and a little critical..but did feel that the care could be greatly improved. If you have surgery at Good Samaritian..make sure that you have a family member with you frequently to watch out for you and to get things done for you!! If anyone has any questions, please feel free to e-mail me.